Cristoir,

Here is a version I have from " Songs of the Gael - Book 2 page 258". Printed in Dublin 1921. These songs were published in four series, all titled " Songs of the Gael", by Padrag Breatnac, unfortunately although my father had the first 3 series, I only have number 2. Hope it helps.



BRENNAN ON THE MOOR


It's of a famous highwayman, a story I will tell
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
And on the Kilworth mountains he commenced his wild career
Where many a wealthy gentleman before him shook with fear


A brace of loaded pistols, he carried night and day
He never robbed a poor man upon the king's highway
But what he'd taken from the rich, like Turpin and Black Bess
He always did divide it with the widow in distress


One night he robbed a packman by the name of Pedlar Bawn
They travelled on together till the day began to dawn
The pedlar seeing his money gone, likewise his watch and chain
He at once encountered Brennan and he robbed him back again



One day upon the highway as Willie he went down
He met the Mayor of Cashel, a mile outside the town
The Mayor he knew his features, I think young man said he
Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me



As Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy
And when she saw her Willie, she began to weep and cry
He says "Give to me that tenpenny" as soon as Willie spoke
She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak



Then with his loaded blunderbuss, the truth I will unfold
He made the Mayor to tremble, and he robbed him off his gold
One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there
So he with horse and saddle to the mountains did repair


Then Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountain high
When cavalry and infantry to take him they did try
He laughed at them with scorn, until at length, tis said
By a false-hearted youngman he basely was betrayed


The chorus is the usual one of


Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the Moor
Bold brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the Moor



Although not included in this book, I did hear this final verse from my father , I don't know if it was part of the original song or added later.


They hung him at the crossroads, in chains he swung and dried
And some folk say that in the night, they still can see him ride
See him with his blunderbuss, out in the midnight chill
All along the King's highway, rides Willie Brennan still,


Regards
Jimmy